Impact starter for cycle timers



Aug. 19, 1969 M A, H LL 3,462,566

IMPACT STARTER FOR CYCLE TIMERS Filed Feb. 7, 1968 MITCHELL A. HALL A TTOR/VE' Y United States Patent U.S. Cl. 200-35 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A cycle timer and the slide plate of a coin slide mechanism, are so arranged that the operating shaft of the cycle timer is started in motion by means activated during a retractile movement of the slide plate to normal position; that is, no movement of the slide plate in the direction of full advancement can serve to place the timer in operation. The means for initiating operation of the timer includes a spring projected hammer member which is subject to cocking and release incident to retraction of the slide plate toward the normal or retracted position, following a full advancement of the slide plate.

This invention relates to an impact-type starter for cycle timers, including a coin-controlled actuator. The invention is applicable particularly to situations wherein the cycle timer is a unit separate and distinct from the coin-controlled mechanism, but is located for direct physical actuation by the latter. Thus, in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawing, the cycle timer is shown at the left in position to be actuated and started in operation by the coin-controlled mechanism at the right, which mechanism includes a hand-operated slide plate to be reciprocated toward and from the cycle timer incident to the deposit of one or more coins.

The general arrangement above mentioned may be employed, by way of example, in laundry service establishments where clothing washers and dryers are coin-controlled, and automatically timed as to their operating cycles. Proper operating of the laundry machines depends, of course, upon the deposit of proper coins into a coin slide, and proper manipulation of the coin slide after deposit of the required coin or coins. Thus, if a patron deposits proper coins, and then fails to impart a full advancement to the slide plate of the coin slide, the cycle timer may not receive the necessary impulse to place the laundry machine in operation. The patron then believes himself cheated of his coins, and reports the laundry machine out of order, when in fact the fault resides merely in a failure on the part of the patron to properly manipulate the coin slide. Such incidents result in poor customer relations and unnecessary servicing expenses, to be avoided by means of the present invention.

An object of the present invention is to provide in a cycle timer starter mechanism, improved means whereby the cycle timer is started or placed in operation with greater certainty and dependability than heretofore, incident to manipulation of a coin slide by a patron.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a cycle timer starter mechanism of the character stated, a simple yet effective improved safety means to preclude damage to operating parts in the event that the mechanism is subjected to abuse in the attempt to control the cycle timer in unauthorized manner, or without a deposit of proper A further object of the invention is to provide a starter mechansm attachment which is readily applicable to many different types of coin slides, for use in starting or initiating operation of a cycle timer or the like, one of the virtues of the improved starter mechanism attachment being its simplicity of construction and operation.

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Another object is to attain opera-ting advantages in a cycle timer starter mechanism, by utilizing a spring-loaded hammer or striker whose force of impact employed in starting the timer is completely unaffected by differences in coin slide manipulative, procedures which might characterize different patrons operating the starter mechanism.

The foregoing and other objects are attained by the means described herein and illustrated upon the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cycle timer and a coin-controlled starter mechanism therefor, arranged in cooperative relationship according to the teaching of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of a portion of FIG. 1, indicating alternative positions of a coil slide plate and trigger member attached thereto for stressing and releasing a hammer.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the trigger member engaged and prepared to cock, or tension the hammer.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation showing the hammer cocked b the trigger member.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing the hammer released by the trigger member to shift the timer shaft to operative position.

In the drawing, 10 indicates generally a coin slide or coin chute, which includes a reciprocable elongate slide plate 12 having a handle or finger piece 14 whereby the slide plate may be manually shifted between a position of full retraction, illustrated by FIGS. 1 and 2, and a position of full advancement depicted by FIG. 3. The slide plate may be provided with one or more coin-receptive apertures 16, into which a patron may deposit one or more coins or tokens as required, to condition the coin slide for full advancement of its slide plate 12. The coin slide, as is usual, may be equipped with various devices for the detection and rejection of spurious coins, so that the slide plate is inoperable unless proper coins or tokens are deposited therein. The coin slide usually embodies also a ratchet means to preclude premature retraction of the slide plate after it has advanced substantially toward the position of full advancement.

To simplify the description herein, let it be assumed that slide plate 12 has but one aperture 16 gauged to receive a genuine coin acceptable to the detection devices of the coin slide. If an acceptable coin is deposited in aperture 16, the slide plate will be permitted a full advancement. If on the other hand the coin proves spurious, or is missing from aperture 16, advancement of the slide plate will be prevented or substantially limited. All of the foregoing is common practice in the art pertaining to coin slides.

The numeral 20 indicates generally a conventional cycle timer, which usually comprises a synchronous electric motor 21 and a reduction gear 22, and a housing 24 containing a multiplicity of electric contactors (not shown). The contactors are to be open-circuited and closed-circuited in a predetermined order as the electric motor operates throughout a time cycle, to govern the actions of a dispensing machine or the like connected thereto. The dispensing machine may dispense articles or services. In a typical case, the contactors of the cycle timer may control the several sequential operations of a laundry machine which washes, rinses, and perhaps otherwise treats clothing deposited therein. The cycle timer may be supported by a bracket 26 as shown.

The cycle timer 20 includes a rotary shaft 28 driven by gear box 22. Said timer shaft has both a slow rotary mo tion, and a limited axial shiftability of one-quarter inch more or less. Inside the housing 24 is a pair of contactors (not shown), having electrical connection with motor 21, for energizing and de-energizing said motor. Said contactors are mechanically connected with shaft 28, so that the shaft when shifted axially to the left in FIG. 1, will close the circuit of the contactors and motor 21, to effect a slow rotation of said shaft in one direction only.

Rotation of shaft 28 as stated, is limited to one full turn, or 360 degrees, whereupon the motor 21 becomes de-energized to terminate the shaft rotation. This is accomplished by means of a cam arrangement, preferably, which acts to shift the shaft axially to the right as the shaft approaches the end of its 360 degree travel, this resulting in mechanically separating the motor control contactors and breaking the motor circuit.

The cam arrangement above mentioned may comprise a pin 30 fixed upon shaft 28 and extended laterally therefrom, to execute a circular sweep as the shaft rotates. Near the end of its 360 degree circular sweep, pin 30 will strike an inclined stationary cam 32, which cam may be carried by bracket 26. As pin 36 rides up the incline of cam 32, the pin will be cammed away from bracket 26 so as to shift the shaft 28 axially to the right, thereby resulting in separating the motor control contactors and stopping the motor 21. The parts thereupon bear the relationship illustrated by FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

It may here be noted that pin 30 in FIGS. 2 and 3 is shown advanced slightly beyond the face of cam 32, after having left the cam face. This is due to the fact that shaft 28, inside the housing 24, is subjected to snap-action disposition to its opposite extremes of shiftability, as by means of a toggle or ball locator. This however is of no particular importance to the present invention.

FIGS. 1 through 4 show shaft 28 disposed to its outer limit of shiftability, whereas FIG. 5 shows the shaft shifted to the left to its inner limit. In the FIG. 5 position of shaft 28, the driving motor 21 is operative to rotate the shaft and actuate the cyclic contactors of timer which control a dispensing machine, until the shaft has completed a full rotation to the inoperative position of FIG. 2, at which the motor is de-energized.

Timer shaft 28 has a free end 34 to be struck by a hammer head 36, the impact of which serves to axially displace the shaft to the left, that is, to the operative position at which motor 21 is energized to rotate the shaft. Hammer head 36 may comprise a shank 33, the lower end 40 of which has pivotal connection with a stationary part 42 of bracket 26, so that the hammer shank may rock between the full and the broken line positions of FIG. 4.

Means is provided for constantly yieldingly biasing the hammer head toward the free end of shaft 28, and such means may be in the form of a tension spring 44 having one end 46 anchored to the hammer head, and the opposite end 48 anchored to a stationary part 59 of bracket 26. The tension force of spring 44 is normally light enough to offer no interference with axial shifting of timer shaft 28 in either direction. However, when the hammer is withdrawn to the full line position of FIG. 4, the tension of spring 44 is increased, and will upon release of the hammer drive the hammer head against the end 34 of shaft 28 with a force sufficient to shift the shaft to the operative position.

Upon rotation of the shaft 28 through a full turn, following the hammer impact, cam 32 will act upon pin 30 to axially shift the shaft to the inoperative or extended position, without appreciable resistance from spring 44. It is noted that spring 44 may serve to maintain the pivot connection at 4t 42, by exerting a lifting force upon the hammer shank.

Tensioning and release of the hammer is effected by a retractile movement of slide plate 12 following a full advancement thereof by means of handle 14. For the purpose, a trigger plate or draw member 52 may be attached to the leading end of slide plate 12, said member including a catch 54 to engage a projection 56 of the hammer member whenever the slide plate has reached a position of full advancement. Then upon retraction of the slide plate, catch 54 will draw the hammer member away from shaft end 34 while at the same time tensioning the spring 44 (FIG. 4). Further retraction of the slide plate causes catch 54 to over-ride projection 56, thereby to release the hammer member for sharply striking and axially shifting the timer shaft 28 to operative position.

The draw member or plate 52 may be attached loosely to the leading end of slide plate 12, as by means of screws 58, which permit plate 52 to rock slightly in a vertical plane, or toward and from the upper edge of projection 56. Also, the draw member or plate 52 may be bifurcated at its leading end, and bent to present a pair of curved arms or cams 60 extended forwardly of catch 54. These arms or cams, upon advancement of the slide plate 12, ride upon the upper edge of hammer projection 56, so as to slightly lift latch 54 as it approaches and passes over said projector. Then as the slide plate reaches the position of full advancement, latch 54 will drop behind projection 56 according to FIG. 3, in readiness to withdraw the hammer member for impact as slide plate 12 returns to the normally inoperative position.

By referring to FIG. 4, it will be noted that hammer head 36 has an upper edge 62, seen also on FIGS. 3 and 5, which is spaced from projection 56 and disposed at an elevation such that it may lift the arms 60, and consequently also the catch 54, as slide plate 12 draws the hammer member to cocked position (FIG. 4). By this means, the hammer member is released always at the same stage of withdrawal, with the same build-u of tension in spring 44, so that the force of impact of the hammer member upon shaft 28 will be uniform with every manipulation of slide plate 12. The withdrawal of slide plate 12 to the fully retracted or normal position, may be aided by a tension spring 64, if desired.

From the foregoing explanation, it will be apparent that starting of the cycle timer by axially shifting its shaft 28, occurs upon retraction, rather than advancement, of the coin slide plate 12. The user or patron finds that manual advancement of the slide plate meets with no noticeable resistance, other than the gradually increasing resistance of spring 64, until the point of full advancement is reached. It is at this point that catch 54 engages the hammer member (FIG. 3), and conditions the apparatus for starting of the timer. Either the patron, or spring 64, or both, will retract the coin slide plate to initiate starting of the cycle timer as previously explained herein.

Of no importance to the present invention, are the elements on timer shaft 28 identified as the collar 66, spring 68, and shifter lever 7 t), which move with the timer shaft. Such elements can be removed from the timer shaft, if desired, when the hammer-type starter mechanism of the present invention is utilized in the combination.

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical arrangement wherein the cycle timer 2t) and the coin-controlled starter mechanism are installed in a box-like casing 72, with the hammer head 36 aligned with starter shaft 28. The hammer head could, of course, be located to strike the shifter lever 70, if desired. Casing 72 may house a coin receptacle 74 re ceptive of coins accepted and released by the coin slide.

The coin slide mechanism may be of any approved type, so long as it includes a slide plate such as 12 upon which may be mounted the catch plate or draw member 52. Moreover, the coin slide mechanism and timer 20 may be supported otherwise than by means of box 72, if desired. As was previously explained, the timer shaft 28 is shiftable axially to the operative position, only by the impact of hammer member 36 after cocking and release, and release is effected by retraction of the coin slide plate and not by advancement thereof.

It is to be understood that various modifications and changes in the structural details of the device may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A coin-controlled starter mechanism for a cycle timer, which latter includes a motor-driven shaft rotatable in one direction, and shiftable longitudinally from an inoperative position, to an operative position for initiating rotation thereof by the motor, said starter mechanism comprising: a movable hammer member having a head spring-urged toward an end of the timer shaft; a coin slide including a slide plate reciprocable between a normal position of full retraction, and a position of full advancement; means supporting the slide plate for reciprocation toward and from the hammer member; and means carried by said slide plate for increasing the spring tension on the hammer member and releasing said hammer member to strike and shift said end of the timer shaft to said operative position, as the slide plate is moved toward the normal position of retraction following a full advancement of said slide plate.

2. The starter mechanism as specified by claim 1, wherein is included means operative upon predetermined rotational movement of said timer shaft, to re-shift said shaft to the inoperative position.

3. The starter mechanism as specified by claim 2, wherein is included means including a spring operative to urge the slide plate toward the position of full retraction.

4. The starter mechanism as specified by claim 1, wherein the means last mentioned comprises a draw member including a catch movable with the slide plate, and a projection on the hammer member to be engaged by said catch upon retraction of the slide plate following a full advancement thereof.

5. The starter mechanism as specified by claim 4, wherein is included cooperative means on the draw member and said hammer member, operative to move the catch from engagement with the hammer member projection as the hammer member moves with the draw member in the direction of slide plate retraction.

6. The starter mechanism as specified by claim 5, wherein is included means operative upon predetermined rotational movement of said timer shaft, to re-shift said timer shaft to the inoperative position.

7. The starter mechanism as specified by claim 6, wherein is included a spring operative to urge the slide plate toward the position of full retraction.

8. A coin-controlled starter mechanism for a cycle timer, which latter includes a motor, a rotational shaft driven thereby, means supporting the shaft for rotation, and for axial movement between an inoperative position and an operative position, and electric circuit means including said motor and contact means operative to electrically energize the motor upon shifting of the shaft axially to the operative position, and to de-energize said motor upon shifting of the shaft axially to the inoperative position; a coin slide including a slide reciprocable between a normal position of full retraction, and a position of full advancement; means supporting the coin slide and the cycle timer in position whereby the slide plate of the coin slide is reciprocable in the general direction of extension of the timer shaft, said slide plate being spaced from an end of said timer shaft; an elongate hammer member having a head, and a shank pivoted upon the supporting means, with the head of the hammer member in position to strike said end of the timer shaft; yielding means urging the hammer head pivotally toward said shaft end; a projection on the hammer member; a draw member in the form of a plate rockingly supported upon the leading end of the slide plate, said draw member including a catch movable into engagement with the projection of the hammer member upon full advancement of the draw member with the slide plate; said catch being disengageable from said hammer member projection incident to retraction of the slide plate and the draw member thereon supported, thereby to release the hammer member for impact against said timer shaft end under the force of said yielding means, for shifting the timer shaft axially to the operative position; and means operative upon predetermined rotational movement of the timer shaft, for shifting said timer shaft axially from the operative position to the inoperative position.

9. The starter mechanism as specified by claim 8, wherein the hammer head includes a free edge in spaced substantial parallelism with the hammer member projection, and the draw member includes a camming face to ride upon said hammer member projection during advancement of the draw member with the slide plate, for positioning the catch in engagement with said hammer member projection; the free edge of the hammer head being disposed at an elevation such as to contact the camming face and rock the draw member and the catch away from the hammer member projection concurrently with retraction of the slide plate following a full advancement thereof.

10. The starter mechanism as specified by claim 9, wherein is included a spring operative to urge the slide plate toward the position of full retraction.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,964,599 12/1960 Greenwald 200-35 3,053,946 9/1962 Greenwald. 3,056,307 10/1962 Bowman 19492 3,231,059 1/1966 Hall 194-92 3,260,339 7/1966 Greenwald et al. 194-92 HERMAN O. JONES, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

